Description
Hearty Tater Tot Casserole satisfies comfort food cravings with layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy sauce, and crispy potato tots. Midwestern home cooking shines through this simple, crowd-pleasing dish you’ll savor with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 package (32 ounces / 907 grams) frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetable and Aromatics:
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 small onion, chopped
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) for optimal cooking temperature.
- Sauté ground beef and diced onions in a skillet over medium heat, carefully draining any accumulated fat to ensure a lean mixture.
- Incorporate cream of mushroom soup and sour cream into the meat, stirring until thoroughly combined and creating a creamy base.
- Gently fold frozen mixed vegetables into the meat mixture, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Transfer the prepared mixture into a baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer for consistent cooking.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese across the meat mixture, providing a rich and melty foundation.
- Meticulously arrange frozen tater tots in a precise, overlapping pattern to cover the entire surface of the casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until the tater tots transform into a crispy, golden-brown topping.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving to help the casserole set and maintain its structure.
- Serve immediately while hot, ensuring each portion captures the delightful combination of crispy tots, creamy sauce, and savory beef.
Notes
- Drain the ground beef thoroughly to prevent a soggy casserole base, ensuring crispy tater tots and concentrated flavors.
- Customize vegetable mix by adding seasonal or favorite vegetables like bell peppers or corn for extra nutrition and color.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for healthier protein options that cater to different dietary preferences.
- Consider sprinkling extra cheese or crushed crackers on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for an enhanced crispy texture and richer taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 539 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg